This dish that doesn’t call for hard-to-find ingredients. It’s not mysterious, nor is it surprising. It’s something to be craved at the end of the workday. It is filling and fulfilling.
Adapted from this She Makes and Bakes recipe by Emily
(Yield: 4 servings)
Ingredients:
About 10 corn tortillas, divided
2 tbsp olive oil
1 lb ground beef
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
Cayenne pepper to taste
4 oz shredded Cheddar cheese
Salt + black pepper
Toppings of your choice
Procedure: Line a pie dish with overlapping tortillas (it’s okay if they tear a little) and set aside.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic to skillet with a pinch of salt. Stir and cook until soft, about 3 min. Add beef, chili powder, cumin, cayenne, and about 1/2 tsp salt and black pepper. Raise heat to high. Break up meat with a wooden spatula in the skillet, making sure seasonings are well incorporated. Cook until browned, stirring frequently, about 12 min. Meanwhile, heat oven to 350F and cut 2 tortillas into 1″ squares.
Place browned beef into prepared pie dish. Cover with a layer of tortilla squares and cheese, and repeat.
Place into oven and cook until cheese is melted, about 15 min.
Remove pie from oven and let stand for 10 min before cutting into it.
I ate this with sour cream and a quick salsa (tomatoes, cilantro, lime). The only imperfection of this ‘pie’ is that it is a bit difficult and messy to cut into. I don’t know if lining the dish with whole tortillas is the best way to do it. Do you have any suggestions for how to repair this situation?
LOVE!!! Reminds me of nachos.
Yum! I love simple Mexican dishes! What a great twist on classic nachos.
Did you grease the pie pan before you put the tortillas in it? That may make the pieces come out easier. My other thought would be to do a double layer of tortillas, just go give a little extra support. If the tortillas are thin, they may not hold up as much as you’d want a crust to. Just some thoughts!
I didn’t grease the pan but that wasn’t the problem. But doubling up on the tortillas is a good idea! Thanks
ooh! Ok, thoughts on making it less messy: I tried a recipe once that was essentially “Mix cheese, rice, and beans, and bake in a pie pan” (seasonings too, but mostly it was this)
I ended up with a rice and bean “cake” held together with cheese, and cut it into slices.
Just saying- there might be something to the gluey properties of cheese to help keep it all together.
Also, maybe par-bake the tortillas before you add the filling, like a real fruit pie. I agree with the suggestion to double up on them. No idea if any of these things will work.
I don’t think par-baking would help since the tortillas are cooked through already. But I considered putting the cheese inside (a la baked ziti)! Next time
This is like nachos! I so so want some of this deliciousness right now.
Mmm this is right up our alley! We might have to give this a try soon!
This is my favorite kind of meal – perfect for a weeknight! And I can see how it would be a bit messy to cut into, but I guess you just embrace it!!